About Map - Situated in the northwestern part of the United States, Idaho is the 14th largest and seventh least- populated state of the country. It has as its neighbors the states of Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Idaho is a state located in the northwestern region of the United States. It is the 14th largest in terms of land area, and was the 43rd state to be admitted to the Union. It is often referred to as "Gem State," as almost every kind of gemstone can be found in the region. Its other nickname is "Potato State," as it also grows tremendous amounts of the crop.

History
Idaho has a rich historic heritage of inhabitants living in the area tens of thousands of years ago. American Indian tribes dominated the land, with the Nez Perce and Coeur d'Alene in the north and the Bannock people in the south.

The state was part of the Louisiana Territory purchase from France in 1803. The Lewis and Clark expedition soon arrived in the region of Idaho on August 12, 1805 but a settlement was never formed. It was because of Wilson Price Hunt and his expedition group that the first American settlement was created, after traversing the Snake River in 1811 and 1812. At the time, about 8,000 native Americans lived in the region.

Fur trading was soon established, along with the formation of several Forts in 1834. The Oregon Trail migration began in 1843, and the first town of the region was established in 1860, which was the town of Franklin.

Between 1860-1863, gold and silver mining towns were put up, which were Pierce, Idaho City, and Silver City. The region became an official US territory in 1863.

The region achieved statehood on July 3, 1890.

Geography
Idaho is a mountainous region and borders 6 states. Canada's British Columbia borders to the north, Montana to the northeast, Wyoming to the east, Washington and Oregon to the West, and Nevada and Utah to the south.

The state's landscape is rugged with abundant natural resources and scenic areas. It also has some of the country's largest unspoiled natural areas. From snow-capped mountain ranges, to vast lakes, river rapids, to steep canyons - Idaho's geography is vast and varied.

The Snake River runs through Idaho's Hells Canyon, which is the deepest gorge in the country. The highest point is the Borah Peak - at 12,662 feet.

Travel
Idaho offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities and natural attractions. The best places for mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and flyfishing can be found in the areas of Stanley, Sun Valley, and Ketchum. For hot springs, camping, and snowboarding, Island Park, Idaho Falls, and Lava Hot Springs are the most popular.

Skiing in Idaho is a popular recreational activity - with over 20,000 acres in snow-covered mountains available in the state. The most popular areas are Lookout Pass, Bogus Basin, and Tamarack. The state is also a whitewater paradise with incredible rapids in Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Main Payette in Boise.

Other popular tourist sites are the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and the Silverwood Theme Park, which is the largest in the northwest.

Education
There are thousands of public, private, and charter schools in Idaho. The University of Idaho in Moscow is the oldest in the state, which was established in 1889. This university is also one of the best value public schools in the country, with a leading research facility. Other notable universities include Boise State University and Idaho State University in Pocatello.